Genesis 4:3–4
“So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part, also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering.”
“In the Course of Time”
At first glance, Genesis 4:3 seems to simply tell us that Cain brought an offering to the LORD. But the phrase “in the course of time” deserves closer attention.
The Hebrew expression is yamim, which can be translated as “at the end of days,” “in the course of time,” or “in process of time.”
Literal Meaning
The phrase literally carries the idea of “at the end of days.”
Contextual Meaning
Contextually, it can signify the passing of an appointed or completed period of time. Some understand it as referring to a full, completed cycle—possibly a year or an agricultural season.
This would suggest that Cain and Abel were bringing their offerings at a designated and recurring time of worship rather than at some random moment.
It raises an interesting question: How did Cain and Abel know when and how to worship the LORD?
The answer may be that they learned from their parents, Adam and Eve. What we see in Genesis 4 indicates that, even though Adam and Eve had been expelled from the Garden, God was still communicating with mankind, and mankind was still worshiping God.
Cain’s Offering
Genesis tells us that Cain brought an offering from “the fruit of the ground.”
The Hebrew word translated “offering” is minḥah. It can refer to an offering, gift, present, or tribute. It often describes a voluntary gift brought as an act of worship, devotion, reverence, or submission to God.
A minḥah was not necessarily a blood sacrifice. It could consist of agricultural produce or grain.
This is important because Cain’s offering came from the fruit of the ground, while Abel brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock.
A Lesson for Us
The LORD was still communicating with mankind after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden.
The existence of worship in Genesis 4 reminds us that humanity’s relationship with God did not simply end when Adam and Eve left Eden. God continued to make Himself known, and people continued to approach Him in worship.
Abel’s Offering
Genesis 4:4 says:
“Abel, on his part, also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions.”
The Hebrew expression concerning the firstborn refers to the firstborn animals of Abel’s flock.
Abel did not merely bring something from his flock. He brought the firstborn and their fat portions.
The Hebrew word cheleb, translated “fat,” can refer to the best or richest portion. In the sacrificial system later revealed to Israel, the fat portions were regarded as belonging especially to the LORD.
Abel’s offering therefore appears to communicate something significant: he gave God his best.
As one commentary observes, all we know about this particular sacrifice is that it was an act of worship.
A Lesson for Us
Am I giving my best to the LORD? And am I giving it with faith?
That question becomes even more important when we look at what the New Testament says about Abel.
“The LORD Had Regard for Abel”
Genesis 4:4 says that:
“The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering.”
The Hebrew expression translated “had regard for” comes from the root sha’ah, which carries the idea of looking at, gazing upon, or paying attention to something.
The expression can therefore convey the idea that the LORD looked favorably upon Abel and his offering.
This is significant. The text does not simply say that God accepted Abel’s offering while rejecting Cain’s offering. It says that God had regard for Abel and his offering.
The worshiper is mentioned along with the offering.
This suggests that God was concerned not merely with what was placed before Him, but also with the heart and faith of the person bringing it.
The Difference Between Cain and Abel
Both Cain and Abel brought offerings.
Cain brought an offering from the fruit of the ground.
Abel brought an offering from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions.
But there was a deeper difference.
Hebrews 11:4 gives us the key:
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”
By faith.
That may be the most important phrase in the entire discussion.
Abel’s offering was not merely better because it came from an animal. Hebrews tells us that Abel offered it by faith.
His offering demonstrated that he trusted God.
Abel Knew Something Cain Did Not
Genesis 4 does not give us every detail about what Adam and Eve taught their children concerning worship and sacrifice.
But we can reasonably ask:
How did Abel know to bring the firstborn of his flock?
How did Cain and Abel know that they were to bring offerings to the LORD?
They had learned something.Perhaps Adam and Eve had taught them what they themselves had learned from God.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God clothed them with garments of skin (Genesis 3:21). An animal had died, and its skin was used to cover their nakedness.
While Genesis 3 does not explicitly say that this event established a sacrificial system for Cain and Abel, it is possible that Adam and Eve passed down what they had learned about approaching God.
Abel’s actions may therefore demonstrate that he understood something important:
Approaching God required faith in what God had revealed.
Cain may have approached God according to his own understanding, bringing the fruit of his labor.
Abel, however, approached God by faith. He trusted what God had taught.
Waiting for the Promised Offspring
There is another thought that I believe is worth considering.
After the fall, God promised that the seed—or offspring—of the woman would ultimately crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
Adam and Eve had been given this promise.
Could Abel have been looking forward in faith to God’s promised redemption? We cannot say with certainty exactly what Abel understood about the promise. Genesis 4 does not give us that information, but Hebrews 11 tells us that Abel acted by faith.
That means Abel’s worship was more than simply giving a gift. His offering demonstrated that he believed God and trusted what God had revealed.
God Looks at the Heart
Proverbs 21:27 says:
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, how much more when he brings it with evil intent!”
This reminds us that God evaluates not only what we offer but also why we offer it.
We can give outwardly impressive gifts and still have the wrong heart.
God sees beyond the outward action.
He sees the motive.
He sees the faith.
He sees the heart.
This may help explain the difference between Cain and Abel.
Abel gave the firstborn and the best portions of his flock, and Hebrews tells us that he did so by faith. His offering was an expression of trust in God.
The Gaze of Blessing
The Hebrew root sha’ah suggests the idea of turning one’s gaze toward something.
In this sense, God “turned toward” Abel and his offering with favor.
The contrast with Cain is striking.
Cain brought an offering, but Abel brought his offering by faith.
Abel gave God the best he had, and his offering demonstrated his trust and devotion to the LORD.
Abel Still Speaks
Hebrews 11:4 ends with these remarkable words:
“And through it he being dead still speaks.”
Abel has been dead for thousands of years, yet his testimony continues to speak.
His sacrifice, his faith, and even his death continue to testify to the importance of trusting God.
Hebrews 12:24 also refers to “the blood of Abel.”
There was something about Abel’s life and character that continued to speak from generation to generation.
His faith speaks. His sacrifice speaks. His death speaks.
His life continues to proclaim the value of confidence in God.
Abel’s testimony admonishes us to consider how we live and how we approach God.
Faith and Righteousness
Hebrews 11:4 says that Abel:
“obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.”
This does not mean Abel earned righteousness through the animal he offered.
Rather, his offering revealed his faith.
The New Testament repeatedly teaches that righteousness is connected with faith. We are not made righteous because we bring God enough good works or because we give Him something impressive.
We are made righteous through faith in God.
For us today, our confidence is ultimately in Jesus Christ.
The sacrifice of Abel points us toward a greater truth: we cannot make ourselves righteous through our own works.
Our righteousness comes through faith in Christ.
What Does Abel Teach Us Today?
The story of Cain and Abel challenges us to examine our own worship.
Am I simply giving God something? Or am I giving Him something by faith?
Am I giving Him what is convenient? Or am I giving Him my best?
Am I worshiping God outwardly while my heart is somewhere else?
God is not merely interested in the gift. He is interested in the giver and the heart behind the gift.
Abel’s example reminds us that true worship is an expression of faith.
A Final Thought
Cain and Abel lived outside the Garden, but God had not abandoned mankind.
God was still communicating.
God was still being worshiped.
God was still looking upon the hearts of men.
And Abel’s faith still speaks to us today.
His story reminds us that God deserves our best—not merely the leftovers of our time, our attention, our resources, or our lives.
Most importantly, Abel reminds us that what God desires is faith.
Just as Abel was commended for offering his sacrifice by faith, we are called to place our faith in Jesus Christ.
God has already given us His absolute best through His Son, Jesus.
The question for us is:
What will we give Him?
Prayer
Oh LORD, may I always give You my best in my thoughts, my words, and my actions.
LORD, without a doubt, You have given us Your absolute best through Jesus Christ.
Guide me in the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake.
Help me to worship You with a heart of faith and to give You not merely what is left over, but the very best of what You have entrusted to me.
May my life, like Abel’s, continue to speak of faith in You.
Amen..
Comments
One response